ANATOMY &
PHYSIOLOGY
CHAPTER 1 NOTES
WHAT IS ANATOMY? WHAT IS
PHYSIOLOGY?
• Anatomy is the study of the structure and shape of
the body and body parts and their relationships to
one another.
• Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts
work or function.
• Anatomy and Physiology are closely related
concepts. A slight change in anatomy, example –
sickle cell anemia, can have a significant effect on
physiology.
LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION
• Atoms
• Cells- smallest units of living things
• Tissues- groups of similar cells that have common
function
• Organs-composed of 2 or more tissues, extremely
complex functions become possible
• Organ Systems-group of organs that cooperate to
accomplish a complex purpose
• Organism- highest level of structural organization
• Every level of the system relies on the smooth working of
the level preceding it. A malfunction at any level has
serious consequences to the levels built upon it.
ORGAN SYSTEMS P. 6-7
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Integumentary
Skeletal
Muscular
Nervous
Endocrine
Cardiovascular
Lymphatic
Respiratory
Digestive
Urinary
Reproductive
NECESSARY LIFE FUNCTIONS
• Maintaining boundaries- “inside” remains distinct
from its “outside”
• Movement
• Response-ability to sense changes
• Digestion
• Metabolism-all chemical reactions that occur within
the body
• Excretion
• Reproduction
• growth
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL DIAGRAM 1.4
(10)
• 3 components:
1. receptor- sensor that monitors and responds
2. control center- determines levels to be
maintained.
3. effector- provides the means for the control
center to respond.
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
• Neg. feedback (most common)
• Net effect is to SHUT OFF original stimulus. Ex. Home
thermostat
• Contains both a receptor and control center
• Regulates temperature in the house.
Body thermostat- hypothalamus.
Other examples: regulating heart rate, blood pressure, breathing
rate, blood glucose levels, oxygen & carbon dioxide blood levels
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
• Positive feedback: more rare than negative
feedback
• It involves a series of chain reactions of everincreasing magnitude.
• Ex. Childbirth, blood clotting